Episode 245: Fish Out of Water

 

 

This week Shauna and Dan dive into the phrase, Fish Out of Water. Dan questions if Chaucer ever played Dungeons and Dragons, while Shauna geeks out over fish who can walk on land. Bonus: Picket Lines and the Joys of Retirement

 

Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
Episode 245: Fish Out of Water
Record Date: August 25, 2024
Air Date: August 28, 2024

Intro

Dan:
Welcome to Bunny Trails, a whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase.

I’m Dan Pugh

Shauna:
And I’m Shauna Harrison

Each week we take an idiom or other turn of phrase and try to tell the story from its entry into the English language, to how it’s used today.

Opening Hook
Do you ever feel completely out-of-place? For me this happens nearly any time I attend social events. Clubs and parties are generally not a problem for me… but an icebreaker event for a new job and I might hyperventilate. In those structured social moments when I’m expected to make polite but slightly meaningful small talk and connect with other humans… I’m like a fish out of water.

Meaning

A lot of people can probably guess at part of the meaning of this phrase. Fish live in water… so a fish out of water is not where it’s supposed to be. It’s not in its safe, natural environment. It cannot survive out of the water.

According to Oxford English Dictionary, “to be like a fish out of water” means,

Quote
to be in an uncomfortably unfamiliar environment or situation, to be out of one's element
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/fish_n1?tab=meaning_and_use#1404341030



There is another version of the phrase: like a fish on dry land or like a wet fish on dry land. This is not used as much as fish out of water, having only small blips of use. It is also not used consistently to mean the same thing - occasionally being used to describe physical appearance. Since this doesn’t quite match the meaning we are looking at, we’re going to stick with: fish out of water.

c1405
(c1387–95)
The earliest appearance of the concept is found in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales Prologue which was originally written around 1387-1395 and published around 1405.

Quote
A Monk. when he is reckless, is likened to a fish that is waterless.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/fish_n1?tab=meaning_and_use#1404341030

In the prologue, various characters in the tales are introduced. The monk being described participates in activities that are more worldly than the typical monk lifestyle would allow for. This would indicate that the monk is either not suited for these activities or perhaps not suited to fill the role he has committed himself to.

1585
The phrase was also used in a piece about society published in 1585. This time, the piece was written as a plea to the government on behalf of the people. Author credit is attributed to Robert Waldegrave for the 1585 work, A lamentable complaint of the commonalty, by way of supplication to the high court of Parliament, for a learned ministery.

Quote
But all this time while you reason with us of these matters, we think ourselves in a wilderness, or as a fish out of the water…
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/fish_n1?tab=meaning_and_use#1404341030
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo2/A21422.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext
https://ota.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/repository/xmlui/handle/20.500.12024/A21422

In this section of the work, concern is being expressed that when heavy theological questions or intense contemplations were brought up, the common people and unlearned ministers were not equipped to engage in conversation or consideration of such topics. These were the ones who felt like fish out of water.

We can see from these early references that the phrase was used to describe uncomfortable situations but no one was in any true physical distress. The phrase was used at times to express that a person might be in physical danger in some way but primarily, it’s been used in the more figurative manner related to emotions and feelings.

1738
For example, I can completely empathize with this next excerpt which comes from the 1738 work, The Art of Conversation by Stefano Guazzo.

Quote
You make me apprehensive that I am in a worse Case than I was aware of; for I gather from your Words, that you rank me among the Melancholy, whose Senses are so blunted, that they cannot distinguish the Difference of Tastes. But, if I don't flatter myself, I have a whole Mind within this crazy Body; and my Relish of Pleasure is the same with other Men of the nicest Palate. And tho' it is true, that there are some who delight in Company, yet I am acquainted with many Men of unquestioned Valour and deep Understanding, to whom nothing is more irksome than Company; and when forced out of their beloved Solitude, are like Fish out of Water.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Art_of_Conversation_In_Three_Parts_T/maVcAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22fish+out+of+water%22&pg=PA8&printsec=frontcover


1739

The work Principles of Virtue and Morality Or Essays and Meditations on Various Subjects by David MacBride was published only a year later in 1739. It gives advice to those approaching the end of their career and warns that if one does not consider ahead of time or make plans,

Quote
…he will, like a fish out of water, pant after his natural element. Retirement will become like a prison to him…
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Principles_of_Virtue_and_Morality/5PfvNIp7_NAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22fish+out+of+water%22&pg=PA6&printsec=frontcover

A lot of the thoughts shared in this work about retirement might still apply today. I’ve watched as people have retired and often when asked shortly after, they admit they aren’t sure what to do with their time and they just feel off or out-of-sorts. They are definitely describing that fish out of water feeling. But talk to them again in a few months or a year and they are as busy as ever with whatever things they’ve selected to fill their time.

1823

The phrase was used for the title of a show that played in many regional theaters. It was listed under showtimes in the August 28, 1823 edition of the Morning Chronicle out of London, Middlesex, United Kingdom. Here is that listing,

Quote
THEATRE ROYAL, HAY-MARKET.
This Evening will be presented,
MATCH MAKING.
After which, THE BARBER OF SEVILLE.
To conclude with, FISH OUT OF WATER.
End quote
https://newspaperarchive.com/morning-chronicle-aug-28-1823-p-3/


1897
The Black Hills Union out of Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota - now South Dakota - used the phrase for a piece intended to make people think in the April 09, 1897 edition.

Quote
A Fish Out of Water.
The traditional notion of a “fish out of water” is that of a helpless gasping creature. There are some fish, however, that deliberately choose to diversify their existence by seeking land and air. The perch often leaps into the air for flies and can be carried long distances in damp grass without suffering harm. One of this species which is common in India often leave his pool and takes a short journey over the grass. He seems to prefer to take these excursions by night or in the early morning, when he can be refreshed by the dew, but sometimes, no doubt led by urgent necessity, has been known to travel some little distance over a hot, dusty road, under the midday sun.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn97065832/1897-04-09/ed-1/seq-7/#date1=1860&index=0&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=Fish+fish+Out+out+water+Water&proxdistance=5&date2=1900&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=fish+out+of+water&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

The type of fish they are discussing here is likely a Climbing Perch. And we are going to dive into this a little bit during the Bonus segment of our behind-the-scenes video which you can access for free each Friday at Patreon.com/BunnyTrailsPod.

1912

The day book March 28, 1912, out of Chicago, Illinois included the phrase in their advice and jokes section.

Quote
Ruth: When Steve proposed to me he acted like a fish out of water.
Buddy: Why shouldn’t he? He knew he was caught.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045487/1912-03-28/ed-1/seq-19/#date1=1910&index=1&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=fish+out+water&proxdistance=5&date2=1940&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=fish+out+of+water&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

Ba-dum-tiss
Dad jokes have been circulating for centuries… and our phrase has clearly done the same. We can find fairly consistent use since Chaucer shared the concept in his tales. While the severity of the idea of a fish out of water might change from one usage to another, the general concept has remained essentially the same.

1948

In the Seward seaport record December 10, 1948, out of Seward, Alaska, an article comments on the role of men and women during a major labor strike.

Quote
Women of Seward, if I wore a hat I would certainly say, “My hat is off to you.” During the past three hard, anxious months I heard very little complaining, many “it can’t be helped” shrugs, and half provoked comments, but little downright bitterness. When the pull was hardest, and the menfolk were home under foot day after day, or roaming the streets like fish out of water (or do fish out of water roam the streets?), anyway, it was the women who kept the heads and optimistically looked forward to the end.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn98059778/1948-12-10/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1940&index=1&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=fish+out+water&proxdistance=5&date2=1950&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=fish+out+of+water&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

Without knowing the details of the specific situation being discussed, I’m sure there were a lot of difficult emotions going on for those who were on strike… their obligation to their families and possibly to their company… the need to feel appropriately compensated… personal dignity and pride…

Choosing an action that is also a non-action, even for what one has deemed a worthy cause, can feel pretty strange. So I think fish out of water is the perfect phrase for those circumstances.

1961
A Fish Out Of Water by Helen Palmer, illustrated by P.D. Eastman was published in 1961. Following is the publisher’s current description of the book.

Quote
A classic, comic easy reader about getting a pet!
In this beloved Beginner Book, a young boy hilariously learns the consequences of not following instructions when he feeds too much to his goldfish—causing it to grow as big as a whale! With delightfully retro illustrations by P.D. Eastman [illustrator of Go, Dog. Go!], the message of the book—that getting a pet is a big responsibility—is as true today as it was when the book was published in 1961.
End quote
https://www.amazon.com/Fish-Out-Water-Beginner-Books/dp/0394800230/ref=asc_df_0394800230/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693567638067&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2135747839367700660&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9024165&hvtargid=pla-627181146472&psc=1&mcid=3845c43071583126a17a24b072c47ebc&gad_source=1


We have several modern uses to cover and we’ll get to those, right after we say thank you to our sponsors.

A Quick Thank You
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Modern Uses

1993

The song Fish Out of Water was released in 1993 on the album Elemental by Tears for Fears. Here are some of the lyrics.

Quote
You always said you were the compassionate one
But now you're laughing at the sun
With all your high class friends you think you've got it made
The only thing you made was that tanned look on your face
With all your cigarettes and fancy cars
You ain't a clue who or what you are
You're dreaming your life away
Fish out of water
Go swim in the tide today
Fish out of water
End quote
https://youtu.be/tivjvGze3HE?si=82qyVgb5hRja0Uyg

There have been a few other songs using Fish Out of Water in the title including one by Dolly Parton and a Disney Evolutions special about The Little Mermaid. We could probably fill an entire segment just with music on this theme but we’re going to move on to some other modern items.

2008
Natural History Magazine published an article by Neil Shubin titled, Fish Out of Water: Human ailments as varied as hernias, hiccups, and choking are a legacy of our “fishy” ancestry. The article begins,

Quote
Humans make much of what distinguishes us from the apes, but we actually share so much with fish that the comparison with apes feels almost trivial.
End quote
https://www.naturalhistorymag.com/features/04971/fish-out-of-water

The article is several pages long, providing a scientific exploration of the topic.

2014

Fish Out of Water is a 2014 video by Nature. Here is the synopsis,

Quote
Around 400 million years ago, fish left the water and started to evolve into land-loving creatures. But how did the transition happen? A new and unusual experiment could shed some light on the kinds of changes that enabled fins to become limbs. Researchers took a fish species known to be able to walk on its fins from time to time, and raised it on land. Watch the fish promenade in this Nature Video.
End quote
https://youtu.be/mKxRe0hAQmg?si=gXbf3cw1Lq3Wx6Xb

The fish in this video is called a Bichir.

2021
The book Fish out of Water: A Donald Dugan Mystery by Mark Barnard was published in 2021. Here is the publisher’s summary:

Quote
Prizefighter-turned-PI Donald Dugan has been going through a rough patch, between clients who are reluctant to pay for services rendered and Poopsie, his secretary’s borderline psychotic lapdog.

When Lt. Hammond, his friendly enemy on the force, suggests a week of solitude and fishing in rural Louisiana as a surefire cure for his woes, Dugan gladly accepts. Things go fine until he finds the dead man dressed in a clown suit floating in the bayou.
End quote
https://www.audible.com/pd/Fish-out-of-Water-Audiobook/B095YXT6Y2?source_code=GPAGBSH0508140001&ipRedirectOverride=true&gclid=CjwKCAjwiaa2BhAiEiwAQBgyHo0JcwgBFLPiJrhm9vHIfnCeKgsldCwdQbyfSyvvk5XzBPY97nufiBoCQFkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have a thing about clowns… so this one is a no-go for me.

2022
I love this next item. Sophia Ammann won a Gold Medal for her artwork in the 2022 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. She was a high school senior at the time. Her work is titled Fish Out of Water. It is a red and blue depiction of koi fish swimming above a city street. The imagery is really fascinating. Ammann uses 5-point perspective, which gives the image a fish-eye lens appearance. The artist described struggling with insomnia and some images that stuck out in their mind which helped to create the artwork. We will share a link to the article on Patreon.com/BunnyTrailsPod and on our website BunnyTrailsPod.com so you can go check it out for yourself and read a little more about the artist.


https://art.scholastic.com/issues/2022-23/120122/fish-out-of-water.html?language=english


Current
Fish Out Of Water! is a game by Halfbrick Studios available for iPhone and iPad for ages 4+. Here’s a description from the App Store.

Quote
Dive into a thrilling adventure with Fish Out of Water, without ads or in-app purchases. A captivating game by Halfbrick Studios, the creators of Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride. Launch a group of brave fish pals into the sky and over the ocean, helping them travel far and bounce as much as possible!
End quote
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fish-out-of-water/id578467798
Debut Trailer - https://youtu.be/r2MXTIBhETI?si=SPzDimqq61O6vIMU

I also found the debut trailer which was… well, silly.


Current

Fish out of water is a kids clothing company. Here is a little bit about them from their website

Quote
We get it - we’ve all been there…
Every child goes through moments where they feel like a fish out of water. From the first day of school, to joining a new sports team, to simply trying to make friends at the park - life can be intimidating for a little fish in a big sea.
That’s why we decided to create clothing kids love to wear that helps them feel playful, comfortable, and confident in their own skin (or scales!)
They’ll be ready to jump right in!
End quote
https://shopfishoutofwater.com/


Wrap up:
We all have those moments when we just don’t feel comfortable because the situation isn’t our norm or preference. Pretty everyone can relate to this feeling. If you find yourself in these circumstances, like a fish out of water, you can probably look around and find a few other people who are feeling as awkward as you are. Personally, I find it helpful to gravitate towards the other awkward fish in the room so we can stand next to one another silently in solidarity. But when you are feeling this way, just take a deep breath and keep in mind that the moment is temporary. You got this!


Shauna:
That’s about all we have for today. If you have any thoughts on the show, or pop culture references we should have included, reach out to us on Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod, or comment on our website, bunnytrailspod.com


Dan:

It’s patron poll time!

Recently we asked our Patrons,

You win an all-expenses paid trip to a USA pro-sporting championship! Which one do you choose?

Surprisingly, 100% of our patrons chose the MLB World Series.

MLB stands for Major League Baseball.

Jan said
Quote
I'd go baseball. I'm not a huge sports fan usually, but I collected baseball cards as a kid, went to the NBC tournament and some local team games in Wichita from time to time, and have been to some MLB games. Enjoyable enough.
End quote


Shauna

Mary said
Quote
I am not a big sports fan but I love a good baseball game. It doesn't even have to be a good one because the atmosphere surrounding baseball makes it a feel good experience. Games are a mix of intense moments, celebrations, and total chill accompanied by all the best snacks and beverages. Being a Veteran, I have been asked many times to sing the National Anthem or God Bless America, which is sometimes sung later in the game since 9/11. Whenever I sang they gave me free tickets for family and friends so those games were even more fun because we felt like we were part of something very special.
End quote


Dan:

I love going to a baseball game. We have a minor league team in town and we try to go at least once or twice a season. So of the options, I'd watch a World Series game. 

As a reminder, our silly polls mean absolutely nothing and are not scientifically valid. And patrons of all levels, including our free tiers, can take part. Head over to patreon.com/bunnytrailspod to take this week’s poll!

Outro

Dan:
Thanks for joining us. We’ll talk to you again next week. Until then remember,

Together:
Words belong to their users.